Will Trump be successful in killing USAID? Civil war erupts in Congress over the future of America’s global humanitarian agency

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In a letter to Congress, obtained by the Associated Press, [Marco] Rubio said he had designated Trump ally Peter Marocco as acting head of USAID “to begin the process of engaging in a review and potential reorganization of USAID’s activities to maximize efficiency and align operations with the national interest.”

“In consultation with Congress, USAID may move, reorganize, and integrate certain missions, bureaus and offices into the Department of State, and the remainder of the Agency may be abolished consistent with applicable law,” the letter from Rubio to members of Congress stated.

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Democrats have delivered a strong rebuke against the Trump administration’s attempt to gut the agency, calling it illegal and promising to fight the move in court.

“Make no mistake, this effort by Elon Musk and so-called DOGE to shut down the United States Agency for International Development is an absolute gift to our adversaries, to Russia, to China, to Iran and others, because USAID is an essential instrument of U.S. foreign policy and U.S. national security policy,” [Senator Chris] Van Hollen said.

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